Astro Boy: The Video Game

Astro Boy: The Video Game is an Astro Boy video game. It was developed by High Voltage Software and published by D3 Publisher. It is based on the 2009 Astro Boy movie.

Platforms

The game was featured on the Nintendo Wii, Sony Playstation 2, Sony Playstation Portable and Nintendo DS.

Gameplay

A ground level

A sky level

The game allows the player to be the iconic robot hero, Astro Boy, using his incredible array of weapons to save Metro City, from the evil Peacekeeper robot. The game features levels set on the ground, in which Astro fights while advancing by walking, and also in the air, which mainly includes Astro shooting airborne enemies down using his finger laser (slightly reminiscent of Omega Factor's gameplay), both in a 2D Platformer format. The game introduces some new characters not seen in the movie (for example to Scorpion Brothers) and also some never-before-seen areas. Collectables include different costumes and also power-ups. Astro's arsenal of weapons include his Arm Cannon, Butt Machine Guns, as well as the Finger Laser, which was not seen in the movie.

It features both a single player mode as well as a multiplayer mode, with the second player being “another” Astro. A separate mode allows both players to fight in the robot games ring, and the player with the most points at the end wins. Additionally, during the story mode if one player loses a life, he will come back onscreen with full health, but if both lose their lives at the same time the game will be lost. This is especially helpful during the numerous boss fights. To help distinguish the players, the second player will fight in a different costume.

Freddie Highmore provided the voice of Astro, and Kristen Bell provided the voice of Cora; the game's cast is fairly small.

Reception

The game was met with poor reviews. The plot is extremely short, with no real highlights, and the graphics are bad, especially in the in-game cutscenes. Giancarlo Varanini of gamespot.com scored the game a 4.5/10. Varanini says the game features “sloppy hand-to-hand combat,” “repetitive level design,” “muddled and unimpressive graphics,” and that the game is “too short.” While he does find many problems with the game, he does say it is “slightly more fun with a buddy.” He also criticizes the game for not “capitalizing on Astro Boy's skills.” Jack DeVries of ign.com called the game “a mediocre brawler with some pretty good shooter levels.” DeVries also said that “The in-game cutscenes are hilariously bad.” He summarizes the game by saying “It all comes off as bland.” Ultimately, DeVries scored the game a 5.7/10. Jon Carlos of gamevortex.com gave the game a fairly good review, scoring it a 67%. Carlos says “I give Astro Boy: The Video Game kudos for at least heading in the right direction when it comes to gameplay design.” However, he does note “Unfortunately, Astro Boy: The Video Game isn't much more than another film cash-in. Nearly everything in this game is stale, uninteresting and forgettable.”

Trivia

Astro's classic costume is an unlockable in this game.

The side-scrolling beat-'em-up could also be a homage to “Astro Boy: Omega Factor”